Timonen to give it one more try with Flyers, Lecavalier's future unclear

Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, seen here in a rare celebratory mood during the lost playoff series against the New York Rangers in April, has signed on for one more year at the age of 39. He’s been with the Flyers since 2008. (Associated Press)

Kimmo Timonen will be 40 years old when he tries to will his body through another season and playoff run next spring, or at least that’s the optimistic plan.

For the Flyers, they are only hoping that by then, Timonen would have spent the previous several months looking like the biggest bargain signing in the league.

Strapped along salary cap lines and with precious little depth maneuverability on their blue line, the Flyers first admitted they needed a Timonen return more than he needed one, then Friday found themselves celebrating a one-year agreement with their veteran leader.

“I think it’s (a) pretty easy (decision) when you can get a player like Kimmo under contract,” Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said. “But what’s the biggest key is whether Kimmo thinks he can play and whether Kimmo has enough in the tank to go through another offseason and be in shape in September.”

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Timonen said he answered that question to himself after taking a few weeks after the season to think it through, then saw how he reacted physically when he returned from his break to start offseason workouts.

What’s more, he said his family was pushing him to return for at least another year. “They said, ‘Go for it,’” he said.

For one final motivator, Timonen switched on the TV to watch the playoffs.

“I like to see guys winning,” Timonen said. “That’s my hope.”

Not winning a Stanley Cup, he has said repeatedly after the seven-game playoff loss to the Rangers, would be his one great career regret. Timonen has played 1,092 games over 15 seasons with the Flyers and Nashville. He has 117 career goals and 571 points. He has five appearances in the Olympics for Team Finland, garnering two bronze medals (including one this year).

What he doesn’t have to show for that illustrious career is the ultimate prize.

With this Flyers team, he thinks one more season could be well worth the effort.

“I like our team,” he said. “I think we have a chance.”

Timonen said he talked to “about 30 people” this year in trying to decide whether to retire or not. The vast majority, he said, advised him that if he felt he was healthy, he should return for an eighth season with the Flyers.

“It’s really up to me,” Timonen said. “I want to be in really good shape when I come back. Inside of me, I can still play. ... I don’t want to think I’m 39. I want to come back and feel like I can really help this team and get this team to a Stanley Cup.”

The Flyers certainly feel the same way, though in the modern cap world, the hardest part of a decision such in bringing back a player Timonen’s age is always the economic side of the equation. And with young defender and would-be Timonen replacement Erik Gustafsson having decided to pursue a deal with the KHL in Russia rather than return to the club, it could have been an even more difficult problem to solve.

But Timonen had already been hinting at that point that he could make Hextall’s life easier. Though terms of the contract were not released, a report on ESPN.com says Timonen has signed for a base salary of $2 million, which represents a 66 percent pay cut off his 2013-2014 salary.

But the report indicated Timonen could come close to doubling that salary figure if he reaches a variety of incentive standards and attains other bonus marks included in the contract language. The cap hit could be as low as $2 million, but even if it’s higher, it’s a figure the Flyers were happy to agree to.

“We all watched Kimmo this year; he’s still an effective player,” Hextall said. “He’s maybe not 25 years old anymore, but he’s a really smart player. Based on what I saw this past season, he can help us. He’s a mentor for the young players and he’s a stabilizing factor for us on the back line.”

As for the absence of Gustafsson from the equation...

“That didn’t come into play,” Hextall said.

With restricted free agents Brayden Schenn and Jason Akeson still to be signed, and with a veteran backup goalie also likely needed — might be Ray Emery, might not be — the Flyers were thought to be about $6.5 million below the presumed payroll max for next season before Timonen signed. That still leaves a lot of creative work to be done to fill out their roster and remain in compliance.

One way that could be accomplished, however, is if they find it possible to shave Vinny Lecavalier’s $4 million-plus off.

Coming off a 20-goal season that one and all felt was a disappointing one, last summer’s free agent splash signing by Paul Holmgren isn’t looking so good now. There is speculation that perhaps the Flyers are interested in pursuing trade talks involving Lecavalier.

Given the chance Friday to dispel any such notion, Hextall didn’t offer any solid denials. He admitted he’s “had discussions” with Lecavalier’s representative Kent Hughes, and added, “I’m not going to discuss where it’s going, because quite frankly, I don’t know. It’s something we’ll deal with internally here and when we come up with something, we’ll let you guys know.”

In other contract news, Hextall said he’s been “playing phone tag” with Schenn’s agent and that talks toward a contract extension have yet to begun. But Hextall expects them to soon, calling it, “our top priority.” As for Emery, Hextall indicated the Flyers have to figure out where they are with the salary cap before entering into talks with him or any other could-be free agent goalie.

About the Author

Rob Parent is the Daily Times sports editor. He also covers the Flyers as well as writing an occasional column. Reach the author at rparent@delcotimes.com
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